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The Old
Brewery Theatre was a summer stock playhouse on West Main Street.
It was operated from 1954 -1972 by Helena promoter and politico
Walter H. Marshall (1921-1986) and his wife Doris Marsolias
Marshall (1903-1994), who taught dramatics at Helena Senior
High School, 1947-1968
The theatre
was housed in what was once the Capital Brewery, pictured above
in operation during the 1890s. Parts of the Capital Brewery
building dated back to 1865, when it was the Helena Brewery.
It became the Capital Brewery in 1885, and was expanded over
the decades.
The building
was demolished in July of 1973 as part of the Urban Renewal
Program, which destroyed many of Helena's Victorian buildings.
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Location
46°34'55.68"N
112° 2'42.42"W
The
Last Chancer Tour Train at the Old Brewery Theatre, 1956
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Walter
and Doris Marshall, 1970s
FROM
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY "I'VE MET THEM ALL" BY WALTER H.
MARSHALL - NOW OUT OF PRINT
The Marshalls
came to Helena via New York City in 1947. By 1948, Doris was
producing and directing Helena High School plays, plus melodramas
by the community theater group "The Pan Handler Players"
at the Green Meadow Country Club and the Marlow Theatre.
The Marshalls
began producing plays at John Quigley's
Frontier Town atop McDonald Pass in 1951. In 1953, "Helena,
Unlimited" - a not-for-profit organization spearheaded
by past Chamber of Commerce President H. S. "Hi" Dotson
- purchased the run-down Capital Brewery building on West Main
with the intention of converting it into a summer playhouse.
Using volunteer labor, the Marshalls oversaw the cleanup and
renovation of the Brewery, and produced several plays there
in 1954. They also continued to produce shows at Frontier Town
in '54, but in 1955 they began focusing solely on the Old Brewery
Theatre and The Bandit Players.
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Opening
Night Patrons at the Old Brewery Theatre - June 15 1954
FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY "I'VE MET THEM ALL" BY WALTER H.
MARSHALL - NOW OUT OF PRINT
The Old
Brewery Theatre, June 24 1957
PHOTO
BY JEAN O'BLENIS • COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD
The Old Brewery
Theatre, June 24 1957 (detail).
Gary
Cooper at the Old Brewery Theatre, 1960
FROM
"GARY COOPER'S LAST VISIT HOME", LOOK MAGAZINE, JULY 18
1961
COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD
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Star Gary
Cooper (1901-1961), a Helena native, greets young fan Yvonne
Slead at the old Brewery Theatre (in background), 1960. It was
Cooper's last trip to Helena. |
Walter Marshall & Theatre Poster
FROM
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY "I'VE MET THEM ALL" BY WALTER H. MARSHALL
- NOW OUT OF PRINT
Walter Marshall,
with ever-present cigar, holding an Old Brewery Theatre Poster, about
1968.
Old
Brewery Theatre, 1960s
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The
Old Brewery Theatre was producing "Oklahoma!" when
this 1960s photo was taken.
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Walter
Marshall Drinking Beer in the Prop Room, 1968
FROM
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY "I'VE MET THEM ALL" BY WALTER H. MARSHALL
- NOW OUT OF PRINT
1972
Interior Photos of the Old Brewery Theatre
Courtesy of Bob Clarkson, Clarkson
Studio, Helena
Lobby
CLICK
ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Lobby
Lobby
The
Old Pipe Organ
CLICK
ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
"The
Dungeon"
where liquid refreshments were served
The
set for "Butterflies Are Free"
the theatre's final production, August 1972
The
stairs leading up to Walter Marshall's office
Thanks,
Bob, for sharing these memorable images!
Final
Season, 1972
No Future
Auction
of Props
Walter
Marshall Tells the Tale
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In his 1980s autobiography "I've Met Them All"
(Falcon Press), Walter Marshall told the story of The Old Brewery
Theatre. You may read it in PDF format by clicking on the image
below.
[Editor's
Note: Walter Marshall was noted (some might say notorious) for
his bombastic style. Although he accomplished a great deal during
his lifetime, the mention of his name caused many Helenans to
roll their eyes. As a promoter and social / political climber,
exaggeration was his stock-in-trade, and it often comes through
in his writing.]
CLICK
TO OPEN PDF FILE
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